Head and Neck Schwannomas

Abstract

Schwannomas (neurilemmomas) are solitary neurogenic tumors which are observed rarely and originating from peripheric, cranial or autonomic nerve cells. They grow slowly and frequently manifest themselves as asymptomatic masses in the neck. Imaging methods such as ultrasonography (USG), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography are helpful in the diagnosis. Between 1995- 2001 histopathologically confirmed seven benign schwannomas were excised. Lesions were located at lateral of the neck in three patients, at parapharyngeal space in two patients, in nasal cavity in one patient and adjacent to maxillary sinus in one patient. In four patients (66.7%), the neural origins of the masses were cervical sympathetic chain in two, vagal nerve in one, and inferior orbital nerve in another. The functions of the nerves were preserved in surgical excision of these four cases via conservative approaches, thus no nerve grafting was needed. However, one patient developed Horner syndrome postoperatively, it had resolved within four months. In this study diagnosis of head and neck schwannomas, their histopathological features, treatments and prognosis were discussed.

Keywords

• schwannoma
• head and neck
• neoplasm
• histopathology
• diagnosis
• treatment.